Personal and family characteristics of adolescent fathers and mothers living in a low income community

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the personal and family characteristics of persons who become parents during adolescence. A structured form was used to collect data on 115 adolescents living in a low income community in Sao Paulo. Most adolescents (35.9%) were not studying or working; 37.9% depended financially on their parents; 61.7% had an objective in life; 42.6% were living with their companions; 52.1% had received sexual education; 74.8% used no contraceptives; and 47.8% were using drugs. Prevention of pregnancy in adolescence requires multiprofessional involvement, which should be ample and integrated into the social and cultural context.